How much do you drink? Honestly!

Since menopause I really can't drink much. I have two or three gin or vodka and tonics on a Friday and Saturday night, and very occasionally up to two glasses of white wine (less than half a bottle) instead. Don't drink Sun to Thurs.

I drink a couple of times a month at most. Either a couple of glasses of wine after work with colleagues or a glass or two with a friend over a meal usually. That’s it. I don’t drink at home.

Edit: When I was younger I was out drinking all the time. But these days I just like a glass or two of something that tastes delicious and it’s very much about the taste for me rather than the effect. Like the poster above, I also used to live in France and I appreciate good wine paired with the right food.

I don't drink if I have to do much the next day. So, for me, I don't usually drink Monday to Wednesday, then have c. Half a bottle on Thursday. I don't drink on Friday (or if I do I have a glass) and then have c. a bottle Saturday evening over about 4hrs. So usually c. 1.5 bottles a week, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less.

Obviously that's a typical week. If I'm on holiday or it's Christmas or there's a celebration then it looks a bit different.

I used to drink quite a lot more; I should probably drink less still. But like you, I enjoy wine very much and having lived in both France and Germany I see it as a core part of enjoying good food in a social setting.

I used to drink a bottle of wine over 2 days and a lot more on weekends.

I now go about 2 weeks between drinks, sometimes longer and then I will only have 1-2 drinks then stop. It’s no longer a stress relief or really that enjoyable. One drink gives me a nice buzz but more than that gives me a headache and a bad nights sleep and bad breath and IBS.

I gained an insane amount of weight living this lifestyle with alcohol plus was unfit and out of shape, sluggish and not in good health. I had chronic IBS, pre-diabetic and back pain and terrible skin.

I found other things to enjoy and wind down. I’m not trying to be virtuous or competitive I’m being honest. I looked like shit and the comparison now I’ve never looked or felt better, so much more energy.

I really do think alcohol can be incredibly subtly destructive over time without realising

I would obviously advise anyone drinking this much alcohol to cut down for their health

Maybe 1 glass of wine or one small gin a month. DH doesn't drink and I dislike drinking alone. Don't need the calories either.

Nothing Mon to Thurs (if out for a meal or something this may change), then most weekends I will have a bottle of wine, a glass or two Fri, Sat, Sunday eves.